Today’s Peacekeepers

UNAMSIL: The Story Behind the Success in Sierra Leone

If someone had talked of success referring to the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) a couple of years ago, they would have been derided for wishful thinking. But from today’s vantage point, the Mission is one of the UN’s success stories, surpassing the predictions of even some of the most enthusiastic optimists.

Several factors account for this success: the perseverance of UNAMSIL’s leadership in persuading Sierra Leoneans to pursue a negotiated end to the war; the political will and commitment of the parties to the peace process; support and pressure from the international community outraged by the gruesome atrocities committed during the decade-long war; and, above all, a strong desire by war-weary Sierra Leoneans for peace.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the peace process was the disarmament of Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Civil Defence Force (CDF) combatants.  In Kambia, for example, a northwestern district along the border with Guinea, the feat was completed without a single bullet being fired. Even in diamond-rich Kono in the east — the district many thought would prove the hardest to disarm — the process was brought to a successful conclusion.  In January 2002, barely a year after it started, the programme was declared officially completed.

UNAMSIL’s next biggest challenge was assisting the Government in holding presidential and parliamentary elections in May 2002, only four months after combatants had handed over their weapons. As authorized by the Security Council, UNAMSIL supplied communication equipment and other logistical support to the National Electoral Commission; used UNAMSIL vehicles and helicopters to move electoral materials and personnel around the country; provided storage for ballot material and assisted in distribution. UNAMSIL also provided security throughout the preparatory period, during the polling itself, and in the period immediately after the announcement of the results.

The elections saw voters flocking to the polls and were hailed as “the freest election in Sierra Leonean history since independence in 1961”.  Despite the highly charged campaign rhetoric and frictions among supporters of opposing political parties, polling day itself was violence-free.  Most independent electoral observers declared the elections free and fair.

UNAMSIL’s next challenges include reintegrating ex-fighters into society, resettling returnees and internally displaced persons, assisting the new Government extend its authority throughout the country and reviving the economy.  The National Committee for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (NCDDR) is spearheading reintegration in vocational training, formal education and job placement. Through its DDR Coordination Section, UNAMSIL, including military observers and civil affairs officers, is facilitating reintegration programmes providing tangible benefits to the broader community and empowering people to cope with the psychosocial impact of reintegration.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and other aid agencies, as well as UNAMSIL, through its Trust Fund for Sierra Leone, are funding stop-gap projects, which offer jobs to communities, including ex-combatants. In less than a year, results of reintegration efforts have been very encouraging: out of more than 56,000 ex-combatants registered for reintegration, well over 41,300 have been absorbed in various projects and have either completed or are currently receiving training. Authorities say the programme could be completed, possibly by the end of 2003, although it remains seriously under-funded.

UNAMSIL’s role has also been pivotal in assisting the Government establish effective civil authority throughout the country. Through UNAMSIL’s trust fund and resources from bilateral and multilateral donors, police stations have been built and local administrative offices rehabilitated; district courts and prison facilities have been refurbished, and paramount chiefs assisted in returning to their communities.  UNAMSIL is also increasing the numbers of its civilian police to order to provide training and advice to the Sierra Leone civilian police.

Sierra Leone is not yet out of the woods.  Much more still needs to be done and the challenges are many.  But by and large, UNAMSIL has accomplished most of the major tasks.  In line with Security Council recommendations, UNAMSIL has now begun a gradual drawdown.  From its peak of 17,500 troops, the Mission’s strength is expected to be down to 13,000 by June 2003 year and subsequently to about 5,000 troops by late 2004. Doubtlessly, the drawdown will be predicated on Sierra Leone’s ability to assume security responsibilities in areas being vacated by UNAMSIL.  The Council’s decision to adopt a cautious approach to the withdrawal provides the Government of Sierra Leone with a breathing space to consolidate the peace achieved so far.

DPI/2311 (10) May 2003